Sunday, March 9 will be the start of Daylight Savings. This means that all clocks will need to spring ahead one hour! Historically, DST has fallen at the start of spring break, so there's been no school impact. However, since break falls a week later this year, we want to make sure that everyone is on time for school the next day. Remember to change any clocks that don’t do so on their own, so you’ll be at school at the correct time on Monday the 10th!
TPS Family Communications
Although it still feels a little bit wintry outside, spring break is truly right around the corner! We hope that all families have our 2-week spring break on their calendars, noting that this year the break happens a bit later in the month of March than is typical. TPS will be closed the weeks of March 17 and March 24. The Club will offer break camp during both weeks, and families in need are encouraged to reach out to make sure their child is registered.
PC "Central" – In Search of a Local Stay for an Auction Package
Plans are taking shape for Project Celebration on Saturday, May 3 – and we hope that you have marked your calendars to join us for this dressy casual, super fun event for adults in our community. A formal invitation and ticket purchasing information will soon be coming your way.
This week we are seeking a 2-night stay in a local spot, to add to a “StayCation” auction package. Do you or someone you know have a downtown, wooded, or lakeside getaway that could be donated?
This donation will be paired with theatre tickets, a delicious downtown meal, and more, to make a fabulous B’ton vacay. We are open to stipulations for this donation, such as black out dates, expiration date, etc. Reach out to Ms. Amy and she can talk through all the options to make it a positive experience for everyone. Thank you for your consideration!
K-1 Class Collection for New Hope for Families
The K/1 class is taking donations for New Hope for Familes as part of their P3 work. As a group, they have discussed that support of community members experiencing homelessness should be based on their voiced needs, not an assumption of the need. To learn more, the class traveled on foot to New Hope to ask about their needs and to learn more about how they help our community.
New Hope voiced the following needs: non-perishable foods; bedroom items; bathroom items; laundry care. The class will take donations thru March 12, and would love to include as much as families would like to contribute. If you'd like to participate, please bring donations to TPS1. Thank you for helping this class to use their hearts, minds, and voices to positively impact the community!
Questions about this wonderful P3 collection project? Contact K-1 teacher, Ms. Maris!
IREAD Begins Monday for Grades 2 & 3; ILEARN Coming in April
The next two weeks leading up to spring break will be the IREAD testing window for students in grades 2 and 3. All families with children in these grades should have received information from classroom teachers about this upcoming test. Students have been doing some practicing to get ready, but have truly been preparing all year by developing skills and habits of excellent readers.
Beginning April 14, we’ll have several weeks of an ILEARN testing window for grades 3-8. We spread these tests out as small chunks over a number of days, so that they do not become stressful, nor do they become a big piece of any school day or week. Classroom teachers will send reminders to families as ILEARN approaches.
One of the best ways you can support your student during testing times (and all year round, no matter their grade level!) is to help them get optimal sleep and nutrition. And, we ask ALL families in the school to remind their children – whether in a testing group or not – that being extra quiet in school public spaces during testing days is a kindness they can show to everyone.
We are very excited for our rescheduled International Night, coming up on Tuesday, April 1 (April Fool’s Day!), from 6-8p. No joke! Because our night will fall on this particularly well-known date, we’ll have opportunities to learn about humor and pranks from around the globe, as well as about music, food, language, cultural traditions, and more from many different nations. We'll be joined this year by many international centers from IU, as well as by some families who will share their own traditions with our school community. There will be so much to learn, explore, and do!
When families arrive at TPS on International Night, children will receive passports to carry with them around the building – to collect stamps from all the places they "visit." At the end of the evening, they can show off their full passports, and will receive a bag of international treats!
We hope you’ll mark your calendar to join us for one of the most fun events of the school year!
McKinney-Vento Form: We Need All Families to Complete
The McKinney-Vento Federal Homeless Act provides resources to families who may be experiencing homelessness. You may remember filling out an information form when you completed this year’s enrollment in PowerSchool. The McKinney-Vento Act requires that we gather this information from all families twice each year. Therefore, we are asking you to now log into PowerSchool to complete it once again for each child you have enrolled at TPS. You will find it in your PowerSchool forms section, and it is called “Spring Semester Housing Questionnaire.” You can find refresher instructions for logging into PowerSchool on our website.
Thank you for taking the time to complete and submit this form. The answers you provide will help The Project School to determine what services you or your child may be able to receive. Students who are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act are entitled to immediate enrollment in school, even if they don't have the documents normally needed, such as proof of residency, school records, immunization records, or birth certificate. If you have any questions, or need assistance completing the form, please contact Ms. Kristin B. She’s standing by to help!
Primary & Intermediate Classes Going to "Alice in Wonderland"
Stages Bloomington is proud to present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. this spring, featuring 10 students from TPS. And WE are pleased to be able to bring all K-5 TPS students to a special student matinee performance on Friday, April 18 at 10a! The performance will take place at The Warehouse, 1525 S Rogers Street, and we will walk there with our students. The run time of the show is approximately one hour with no intermission.
The cost per student is $6. All K-5 families have now received initial information via email, which includes this payment portal. We are asking families to submit payment via the portal by Friday, March 14.
Alternatively, families can drop payment off in cash or check form to the front office (please put it in an envelope marked Alice in Wonderland with your child’s name; unfortunately we are unable to take credit card payments for tickets at the front desk). As with all theatrical productions we attend, we will never let cost be a factor in a student's participation.
Families who are able to contribute additional funds to support student tickets will be greatly appreciated!
TPS follows a 3-week meal rotation for regular meals, and a 1-week meal rotation for vegetarian meals. Vegetarian meals are reserved for those who have previously shared this need with us. You can always find the meals menu – as well as the week we are in within the rotation, and the sign-up form for requesting vegetarian meals – on our website.
For the week of March 3, we will be in week #3 of the lunch rotation.
Newly added or updated items are initially listed in italics. Subscribe to our google calendar to import dates directly onto your device, or access the full calendar via our website and phone app.
March 3-14
IREAD Testing Window, Grades 2 & 3
Wednesday, March 5
2/3 Class Performance (6:30p)
Sunday, March 9
Daylight Savings Begin (set clocks forward 1 hour!)
March 17-28
Spring Break, No Classes
Tuesday, April 1
International Night, Rescheduled (6-8p)
April 8-9
Middle School Performances @ John Waldron Arts Center
Friday, April 18
Primary & Intermediate (K-5) attend “Alice in Wonderland” with Stages
April 14-May 16
ILEARN Testing Window, Grades 3-8
Saturday, May 3
Project Celebration Ticketed Event @ Switchyard Park Pavilion (7-10p)
Thursday, May 8
K, K-1 & 1-2 Classes Attend “Polka Dot” with Constellation
Tuesday, May 20
6-8 Field Day
Wednesday, May 21
3-5 Field Day
Thursday, May 22
K-2 Field Day
Friday, May 23
Conference Day; No Classes
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day; No Classes
Thursday, May 29
Final Violin Performance (location & time TBA)
Friday, May 30
Staff Appreciation Luncheon (1:30p)
Thursday, June 5
Grade 8 Graduation @ Bloomington High School North (7-9p)
Friday, June 6
Graduate Celebration Day
Tuesday, June 10
Museum of Authentic Work (times TBA)
Wednesday, June 11
Final Day of Classes
Thursday, June 12
Staff Work Day
Happening in the...
Guitar Lessons Offered by Middle School Teacher, Mr. Tim
Is your child interested in learning guitar or improving their current guitar skills? Mr. Tim is offering private guitar lessons after school. He has over 15 years of experience as a guitar instructor and is happy to work with any ages and skill levels, from absolute beginner to advanced. These lessons are not affiliated with TPS, but will conveniently take place in Mr. Tim’s classroom here at the school. Lessons are $20 for a half hour session. Email Mr. Tim for more information or to set up a lesson schedule!
GIrl Scout Summer Camp at Camp Gallahue
Let's go to Girl Scout summer camp! Set in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, Camp Gallahue offers acres of woods to explore. Join your new camp friends to swim or canoe on the lake, hike in the woods, play games in the valley, ride horses at the barn, or practice archery at our range. Don’t forget the campfires, crafts, and camp songs! This summer will definitely be a summer we won’t forget. We are excited to offer so many opportunities for girls who are rising 2nd graders and up. Whether you love the great outdoors and the rugged camp life or prefer a little bit more luxury when it comes to camping, we have something for everyone! Want to see camp before it begins? Come to our open house on April 13 from 2:30-5:30p. When: Sessions beginning June 4 and running through July 18. Who: Open to rising girls in rising grades 2-12. Contact: Jory Sejdiu at jsejdiu@girlscoutsindiana.org. Registration link: https://www.girlscoutsindiana.org/en/discover/explore-summer-camp/camp-gallahue.html
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Through 2-1-1
Tax season is quickly approaching. The IRS will start accepting returns in late January, with the end of tax season on Tax Day, April 15. Indiana 211 has partnered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers FREE tax help to people who generally make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Through VITA, IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. No application is needed to use this service. Assistance is provided at community and neighborhood centers, and other convenient locations throughout the state. Find VITA Locations HERE or call 2-1-1 for additional information about FREE tax assistance resources available in your community.
City/County Human Rights Commission Arts & Essay Contest for Students Grades K-6
The Human Rights Commission for our city and county invite K-6 students to submit art and short essays (maximum 1 page) on the theme: “How does diversity make our community stronger?” The submission deadline is March 12. Submit entries to human.rights@bloomington.in.gov, or bring them to City Hall to deliver in person. Winners will receive WonderLab membership!
GEMS: Girls in Engineering, Math & Science
The 8th annual GEMS event hosted by the Foundation of the Monroe County Community Schools and MCCSC will take place on March 29 from 8a-12p at Tri-North Middle School. This is an inclusive event where all 5th and 6th grade students who reside within the boundaries of Monroe County and are interested in exploring the world of STEM are welcome. Attendees will learn about several STEM careers and participate in three hands-on activities in small groups. Please use this link to register by March 13.
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To submit community events, opportunities, or announcements for the Update, send an email to connect@theprojectschool.org by utilizing the below guidelines:
(1) Prepare a one paragraph blurb, written and formatted to be easily copied and pasted.
(2) Include all necessary details (what, when, who, contact info, registration links, etc.).
(3) Submit no later than the Thursday afternoon prior to the Sunday you’d like it included.
(4) Share any promotional materials (fliers, etc.) as hyperlinks, not as attachments.
TPS reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of a submission for the Update.
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